Question About The Ratio of Chick Starter to Chick Grit. Treats?

[Melky]

I donno where to get sod. Thank you though. Also I live in Ohio and it is REALLY cold right now. Wednesday is going to be -35 and Thursday is going to be -45. My chicks were going to ship this week but, it was to cold and they didn't hatch sadly. THE SUSPENSE!!! View attachment 1657621

I would also make sure you choose vaccination for Mareks on day one to avoid Mereks disease in your flock. This is the only method of prevention. Once you get Mareks Disease in your flock it is lifetime carrier status and often leads to death. They will charge a small fee at hatchery but well worth it.

 

[Melky]

For treats I only offered dried mealworms for protein and greens per hatchery recommendations at 3-4 weeks because this is more like their natural diet and helps them forage. Early on you have to show them what food is so nothing but water with sav a chick electrolytes in it first 5 days then once a week and chicken starter grower. This gives them a healthy start. First hour of life only water with electrolytes in it. Dip tip of beaks to show them how to drink and where to go. After first hour food 24/7 with water. Don’t forget brooding temps. Important this time of year. Mine were brooded inside under heat lamp tied up. Did well. First week temps 90-95, then weaned by 5 degrees every 5-7 days till at 65-70 then off. Can go out when feathered out about 4-5 weeks or 6-8 weeks. If temps in area below freezing would put out with heater and make sure have heated waterer. I used a K and H heating pad from Amazon to place on wall of coop since fireproof. I put it on wall with industrial Velcro. Have fun! Good Luck! Take lots of pics.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I also would have them on 20% medicated starter grower for first 8 weeks or at risk for coccidiosis. This is a common chicken disease that can lead to death.

I find that introducing them to coccidia around 2-3 weeks by mixing a little used bedding from my flock in their bedding or a plug of grass works for hardening their system against coccidiosis. I've never had a single bird die from coccidiosis, or even have a mild case of it. I feed a non-medicated organic starter feed.

 

[Melky]

I find that introducing them to coccidia around 2-3 weeks by mixing a little used bedding from my flock in their bedding or a plug of grass works for hardening their system against coccidiosis. I've never had a single bird die from coccidiosis, or even have a mild case of it. I feed a non-medicated organic starter feed.

I would do neither of those as not recommended. I follow hatchery and poultry expert guidelines. You can still be organic and choose medicated feed. I am glad you have never had a case of it and hope that continues. I do not use any used bedding. I compost mine for the garden. Mine did get limited time to wander around in coop after first couple weeks starting with small intervals of time 15-20 minutes. Then put back in brooder. I had lawn in the coop floor then. As you know they strip it down from eating, wear n tear, and lack of exposure for growth since fenced and covered. Birds need early prevention prior to the exposure so they have immunity. Cheers!

 

[Redhead Rae]

I would do neither of those as not recommended. I follow hatchery and poultry expert guidelines. You can still be organic and choose medicated feed. I am glad you have never had a case of it and hope that continues. I do not use any used bedding. I compost mine for the garden. Mine did get limited time to wander around in coop after first couple weeks starting with small intervals of time 15-20 minutes. Then put back in brooder. I had lawn in the coop floor then. As you know they strip it down from eating, wear n tear, and lack of exposure for growth since fenced and covered. Birds need early prevention prior to the exposure so they have immunity. Cheers!

I find a lot of the "conventional wisdom" in poultry keeping to be geared towards large, factory operations. I may have a lot of chickens, but am by no means a factory operation. Each person needs to do their own research an decide what is right for them. If medicated feed was absolutely necessary, that is all they would supply.

 

[Melky]

They need both medicated and non medicated feed as after 8 weeks of life immunity should be set and the chicken is at less risk once exposed in the real world. No one needs medication forever just till have immunity. Hence need for both. Coccidiosis is just as much a risk in Backyard chickens as factory operations as many who thought they subscribed to conventional wisdom found out the hard way.

I agree everyone needs to do their own research and make their own decisions. Conventional wisdom these days is medicated feed for first 8 weeks and outside of that is non-conventional. You wouldn’t refuse your kids a vaccine to prevent an illness if available I hope and I wouldn’t refuse it to my animals. They deserve the best in care and therefore the best prevention standards possible. It is also more cost effective to do prevention than treat disease later. Prevention standards are there for everyone! Best wishes!

 

[Redhead Rae]

They need both medicated and non medicated feed as after 8 weeks of life immunity should be set and the chicken is at less risk once exposed in the real world. No one needs medication forever just till have immunity. Hence need for both. Coccidiosis is just as much a risk in Backyard chickens as factory operations as many who thought they subscribed to conventional wisdom found out the hard way.

I agree everyone needs to do their own research and make their own decisions. Conventional wisdom these days is medicated feed for first 8 weeks and outside of that is non-conventional. You wouldn’t refuse your kids a vaccine to prevent an illness if available I hope and I wouldn’t refuse it to my animals. They deserve the best in care and therefore the best prevention standards possible. It is also more cost effective to do prevention than treat disease later. Prevention standards are there for everyone! Best wishes!

I switch to Grower/broiler around 8 weeks and that is what I feed my entire flock (supplementing calcium separately for my layers). I try to do things as naturally as possible and do not use medicated feed. The supplier I use doesn't even offer medicated feed. Many other BYCers feel the same way I do. It is one of the things that can divide us chicken keepers, such as supplementary heat for adult birds, that will always be a matter of preference.

I can see we won't convince each other. Let's just agree to disagree at this point so we don't turn this thread into a medicated vs unmedicated debate.

 

[DobieLover]

I find that introducing them to coccidia around 2-3 weeks by mixing a little used bedding from my flock in their bedding or a plug of grass works for hardening their system against coccidiosis. I've never had a single bird die from coccidiosis, or even have a mild case of it. I feed a non-medicated organic starter feed.

Agree on the sod and non-medicated starter.
This is what I did. Never had a problem until I introduced new pullets and their two strains of coccidia "mixed" after the separation period. But I was watching for coccidiosis and hit it as soon as I saw it a lost no one.